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NBA Playoffs 2019: Every 3OT and 4OT game in NBA postseason history

Micah Adams

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NBA Playoffs 2019: Every 3OT and 4OT game in NBA postseason history image

The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets went to four overtimes in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals series, just the second quadruple overtime game in NBA postseason history.

To find the last time two teams played four overtimes, you have to go all the way back to 1953 when the Boston Celtics beat the Syracuse Nationals in the Eastern Division Semifinals. Bob Cousy scored 50 points in 66 minutes in the win while Red Rocha and Paul Seymour each played 67 minutes for the Nationals, the most minutes ever played in a playoff game.

Scanned original box score from first 4OT playoff game in 1953.

This was also the eighth triple overtime game in NBA postseason history.

Here are all of them.

May 3, 2019

  • Portland Trail Blazers def. Denver Nuggets, 140-137
  • 4 overtimes
  • Game 3 of Conference Semifinals
  • Leading scorer: CJ McCollum (POR) - 41 points
  • Most minutes played: Nikola Jokic (DEN) - 64:58

April 27, 2013

Nate Robinson

  • Chicago Bulls def. Brooklyn Nets, 142-134
  • 3 overtimes
  • Game 4 of 1st Round
  • Leading scorer: Nate Robinson (CHI) - 34 points
  • Most minutes played: Kirk Hinrich (CHI) - 59:36

May 9, 2011

  • Oklahoma City Thunder def. Memphis Grizzlies, 133-123
  • 3 overtimes
  • Game 4 of Conference Semifinals
  • Leading scorer: Russell Westbrook (OKC) - 40 points
  • Most minutes played: Marc Gasol (MEM) - 57:08

April 30, 2009

Ray Allen

  • Chicago Bulls def. Boston Celtics, 128-127
  • 3 overtimes
  • Game 6 of 1st Round
  • Leading scorer: Ray Allen (BOS) - 51 points
  • Most minutes played: John Salmons (CHI) - 59:56

May 14, 2004

  • New Jersey Nets def. Detroit Pistons, 127-120
  • 3 overtimes
  • Game 5 of Conference Semifinals
  • Leading scorer: Chauncey Billups (DET), Richard Jefferson (NJN) - 31 (tie)
  • Most minutes played: Jason Kidd (NJN) - 57 

June 13, 1993

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley

  • Phoenix Suns def. Chicago Bulls, 129-121
  • 3 overtimes
  • Game 3 of NBA Finals
  • Leading scorer: Michael Jordan (CHI) - 44 points
  • Most minutes played: Kevin Johnson (PHO) - 62

June 4, 1976

  • Boston Celtics def. Phoenix Suns, 128-126
  • 3 overtimes
  • Game 5 of NBA Finals
  • Leading scorer: Jo Jo White (BOS) - 33 points
  • Most minutes played: Gar Heard (PHO) - 61

March 21, 1953

  • Boston Celtics def. Syracuse Nationals, 111-105
  • 4 overtimes
  • Game 2 of Eastern Division Semifinals
  • Leading scorer: Bob Cousy (BOS) - 50 points
  • Most minutes played: Red Rocha (SYR), Paul Seymour (SYR) - 67 (tie)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Micah Adams

Micah Adams Photo

Micah Adams is a Managing Editor and Head of Affiliate and Commercial Content at Sporting News. Prior to joining SN in 2021, Adams spent over a decade producing and leading content teams at ESPN, DAZN and The Social Institute. Adams graduated from Duke University in 2009 and remains a Cameron Crazie at heart well into his 30s. When not losing sleep or hair over the Blue Devils, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bulls, and USMNT, Adams enjoys chasing his two small children around along with his wife, losing golf balls, spending time outdoors and binging terrible movies.